Vehicle wheel



Matchs, 192.9. 1 H, JOHNSON' 1,704,613.-

vEHlCLE WHEEL Filed April 12. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet III/I James H. T

H .hh ...n A

March 5, 1929., J. H. JOHNSON 1,704,613

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed April 12, 1926` v 2 sheets-sheet 2 stares Si@ H; d'0

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' applicativa met. apen 1a,

This invention relates to improvements tin vehicle wheels. p y

The primary object of this invention 1s the provision of an improved vehicle wheel adapted for use lin connection with automotive vehicles, including apneurnatic supporting arrangement with an auxiliary tread which will take the support of a load incldent to deflation of the pneumatic arrangement. M

A further object of this invention isthe provision of a novel type of vehicle wheel which embodies rigid supporting discs between which is arranged a relatively large l5 annular compartment adapted to receive a pneumatic tire arrangement with a tread projecting beyond the supporting discs, the latter also being provided with an auxiliary I tread which will come into play in caseof 2o deiiation of the pneumatic feature.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying'drawings, forming' a part of this specication, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts `lthroughout the several'y VIQWS.

Figure 1 isa side elevation of the im' e@ ,proved vehicle wheel, showing operatively connected details thereof.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through a portion of the vehicle wheel substantially on the line 2-2 e5 of Figure 1.

Figure V'3 is a fragmentary sectional view l,

.' ings Thus, the #disc 25 isdetachable with taken 'substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig# ure 1, showing the parts flexed as-they will fsubstantially appear when the tire supports' #lo aload. i i" Figure 4 is a fragmentary view, partlyin sectiomshowing features of lconstruction of the wheel.

Figure 5 isa transverse. sectional view showing a modified form of pneumatic tire arrangementvfo'r the Wheel.

Figure 6 .is a reduced 'sectional view taken y through the pneumatic tire element of the Wheel illustrated/in Figure 5. In the drawings, wherein for the purpose vof illustration is shown only a' preferred embodiment of the. invention, the Iletter A' may generally'designate the improved wheel,

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ieee. semi No. meer.

Aand of metal, and adapted to sustain the load of the vehicle. lt comprises a hub construction 10, through which the conventional spindle bore 11 is provided for receiving the spindle 12. The hub 10 is integrally provided with an 'annular extension 13', at the` outer side from which annularly extends the lmetal disc or wall 14 which in cross section yradially of the wheel is substantially in the form of a reverse curve. v At its outer end the discsl4is provided with a channel 15, including 'a base portion 16 integrally connected betweenends on the disc 14; the channel 15 furthermore including the annularly. outstanding legs 18 and 19 to ro- -vide a groove 20'therebetween inwhic is adaptedto be disposed an auxiliary resilient ftire 22, pmferably of the solid rubber type.

The casing construction B furthermore includes a rigid disc 25 of substantially the same construction as the disc 14, the same in cross sectional radially of the wheelvbeing 'in the form of a reverse curve. The disc 25 provided `with an annular rin -shaped portion 27 at the .center thereof, thic er than the disc' 25, thru which an aperture 28` 'isl provided adapted to receive the hub 10 therein as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the draw! respect to thevdlsc 14, and is adapted to be slipped over the hub 10, to place the portions.

' 13 and 27 of the discs14 and 25 in an abuttingv vrelation for assemblagev on'. the hub. The portions 13 and'27 are suitably apertured transversely thereof for receivin bolts 30 for connecting the s aid discs 14 an VV25 at the lhub of the wheel, and between the fac. ing. surfaces of the portions 13 and 27 the wheelhas an annular or ringyshapedpack- -ing orwasher 31 which is compressed as the] .y

bolts 30 are tightened, to provide anairtightsealed connection between the discs y14 and 25 at the center or' hub of the wheel. When the discs 14 and 25 are assembled aS above described, they, diverge radially out-v ict wardly from the hub 10, towardthe outer edges, to provide a large compartment l wherein is adapted to 'be received details of above mentioned by means of the' bolts 30,

the auxiliary tires 22 and 40 are disposed in a spaced relation, to provide -an annular space 42 therebetween, through which details of the main wheel tire arrangement extend, as will be subsequently described. The auxiliary tires 22 and 40 are of the same diameter and theichannels of the re'- spective discs 14 and 25 are likewise of the same diameterto receive Ithe auxiliary tires as above mentioned, and as illustrated -in the drawings.

The .discs 14 and 25, and more particularly the channels 15 and 35 thereof are bolted in a predetermined spaced relation which cannot be extended, in order to hold the wheel in a predetermined relation for'properly supporting the pneumatic tireL elements.' To this end it is preferred to transversely aperture the le s 18, 19,37 and 38 of the channels 15 an 35, as illustrated .in Figure 3 of the drawings, through which relatively long bolts 45 ma be extended, with the head 46 Itistobe at one end t" ereof in abutment with an outer side of the channel 15 and the opposite end of the bolt being screw threaded for adjustably receiving a nut 47 adapted to abut against the'outer side of the other channel 35 to prevent variation or enlargement of the space 42 between the auxiliary treads 22 and 40.

articularly noted that bothA the discs v1 4 and 25 are of the rigid load sus4- taining t e, and the same will not transversely flieg. Each of these discs is /reinV forced at the outer surface thereofby pro.- viding 'lon radial ribs# 49., which 'extend frontib the c annels 15' and 35 of theV respec -tive discs to the hub 1() of the wheel. r Alter- -nateshort reinforcing ribs 50 are also pro*- vided which extend from the respective channels 15 and 35 of the discs 14 and 25 and terminate short ofthe hub of the wheel.

, 16 and 36 ofthe channels 15 and 35 respectively; this body .portion of the treadconstruction D being of annular band-shaped treads 22 and 40, as is illustrated in the various views of the drawings. Side wings 60 and 6l are also integrally provided as apartl of the tread construction D, 'being Lformed integral with'the body/V55 of the tread conf struction D at the outer margin portions of the said body portion '55, and each of the wings 60 vand 61 being annular'in form and extending at the opposite sides of the body 55, towardsth'e nte'r of the hub, with respect to the tread portion 58.' Each of these wings 60 and 61 is reduced in cross section or tapered froml the connection thereof with the body 55 to the free edge thereof facing the hub, where the same has a substantially chisel edge.` The wings 60 and 61 in cross section are slightly arcuate and adapted to snugly lit in an abutting and conforming relation with the outer curved parts of the discs 14 and 25 and it is even, referred to adhere the outer surfaces o f t e wings 60 and 61 to the respective inside abutting surfaces of the' di'scsl14 and 25, lby some -appropriate adhesive, to prevent relative movement of the wings with respect to the discs and conse uently to prevent wear.

\ From t e foregoing description of the said construction D, it is quite obvious that the body portion 55 thereof which transversely extends' across the space 42 inwardlylof the auxiliarytreads is of a flexible nature, and the same willfex as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings to permit the tread portion 58 `to reciprocate through'rthe opening 42 between the auxiliary treads,

during rotation of thefwheel, when supporting the load on a round surface.

An important eature ofthe invention is the rov1sion of radial slots 65 in the tread portion 58 Fofthe tread construction D; these slots 65 being tapered radially of the wheel, and being of least width at their ends closest tothe centen of the wheel and tapering' thereofthe outer ground engaging surface' 67 of the tread portion 58, as is illustrated in'Figure3. Incident tol the elongated character of these slots 65, radially of the wheel, and incident to the fact that the same receive therein the intermediate portions of the bolts- 45, it is quite obvious that the'bolts 45 will not interfere withy the' flexing of the tread construction D, as is illustrated in -fromlat an increasing width to a point short manera Figure 3. These bolts prevent lcreepin 'of the tire constructionl) relative tothe lscs of the retaining casing B, and they also serve.

. the inner tube .is deflated in any manner,

' efficiency of the wheel, and au f A modified form ofinvention is illustrated a very important function in preventing any lateral expansion or outward movement of the discs Maud 25 incident to the reception of the pneumatic tire therein. By not extending the slots 65 to the ground engaging surface of the tread port-ion 58 it is quite obvious that the tread construction D is formed in a relation to preserve the circumferential continuity of the ground engaging portion of the tread portion 58, and this is important, as can readily be understood.

Referring to the pneumaticl arrangement of the wheel A, it is preferred to use a pneumatic inner tube C in the compartment between the discs 14 and 25 and inwardly off the tread construction D between the wings 60 and 61 theerof. rlhis inner tube C tits only in the outer annular portion of the compartment between the discs 1i and 25, and it is provided with an air inlet and exhaust valve of conventional construction,

which is preferably connected on the disc 25 so that the same may be accessible.' Between the inner tube C and the hubk of the wheel is provided a compartment 72, which mayv be termed a super-air pressure compartment, wherein it isintended to provide an elevated air pressure, which will augment the pneumatic cushioning of the wheel produced by the inner tube @,'when inflated, and assists in the pneumatic eiiciency of the wheel. An air inlet and exhaust -valve 73 of conventional form is also provided on the disc 25 for the compartment 72, as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. From the. foregoingdescription the operation of the invention will be apparent. Normally the tread portion 58 protrudes from the space 42 between the auxiliary treads 22 and 40, incident to the air pressure inthe inner tube C and the air pressure in the super-air pressure compartment 72. If

whatsoever, as by puncture, or low air pressure, it is at once apparent that the auxiliaryr treads 22 and-40 willreceive the load being supported. The super-air y pressure compartment aids materially in the pneumatic gnrents thepneumatic action of the conventional innerv as 1s quite obvious. K,

in Figures 5 and 6. of the drawings, `wherein a type of combination Ysolid and pneumatic tire E is provided, which embodies the outer portion 55E*V correspondinto the portion 55 of the tread construction abovementioned. On the outercircumference of the'portion 55 is provided a solid reduced tread portion 58a adapted tov protrude 'from the space 42 between the auxiliary tires 22 and 4() as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings,

and this solid portion 58 is provided with the slots'f65 therein, which are of identical construction as-the slots or openings 65`above mentioned for the form of tread construction D. The tire E furthermore includes'the side walls 60a and 61a which are integral at the outer side margins\of the bodyA portion 55, and which are of relatively great thickness adjacent their juncture with the portion 55L and reducing in thickness therefrom towards the center of the wheel; the said side wall portions 60a and 61a being integrally connected by a portion 78 at the annular inner periphery of the tire 4liti, to provide an enclosed air pressure receiving compartment 80, which has a valve connection 81 with the disc 25, and which compartment may receive air pressure, thus dispensing with the use of a pneumatic tube such as provided for the form of invention illustrated in Figure 2. ln the form of tire E the same combines the solid'and pneumatic features in a single integral construction.l,'il`he superpressure compartment 72 is .of course also 'provided when the tire E is used, identically in the manner above described.

From the foregoing description of this in The `improved tire uses arrangement of parts may be made to the forms of invention herein shown and ldescribed, without departing from the spirit of the;v invention 4or the scope of the claim. l claim: f

lln a vehicle wheel the combination of a body .comprising spaced side walls, annular channels vrigidl connected at the outer "peripheries of eac of the side walls, each channel comprising .an annular base secured between its side edges to the respective side walls, and each channel' furthermore including spaced outstanding annular flanges to define channel grooves 'facing at the outer periphery othe wheel, transverse openings in aligning relation thru the ianges of each of' said channels, a detachable bolt extending through said openings, `said channels being spaced from each other` and -the bolt extending across the said space, said bolt be-I ing relatedto the ychannels so asto retain them andthe side walls in spacedl relation,

and a pneumatic'tire in theispace between the side walls 'including an annular ltread portionA extending outwardly thru the space between said channels and project-ing ancushion members annularly seated in said nularlyl beyond the outer edges of the anges I@kennels of less height than the tread above Y Y of said channels', said tread portion being mentioned, with respect to the center of 10 radially slotted toV receive the bolt therethe Wheel, said auxiliary cushion members 5 through whereby the tread portion may move being slotted at. theirinner peripheries to relative to the portion of the bolt ,which reeeive the bolt therethrou h.

extendsA through said slot, and auxiliary JAMES JOHNSON. 

